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Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure

The Great Wall of China, the Statue of Liberty, the Pyramids of Egypt; every corner of the world has its must-see attraction… in the Canadian Rockies, it’s the Glacier Adventure.

This tour takes visitors onto the surface of the Athabasca Glacier by Ice Explorer; a massive vehicle specially designed for glacial travel. An experienced driver-guide shares a wealth of fascinating information about glaciers, icefields and their impact on our environment during this one hour and 20 minute journey.

Mid-point in the tour, passengers can safely step out onto the glacier and take in the most stunning alpine and glacial vistas. Tours depart every 15-30 mins from the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre.

Getting Here

Note: Drive times are based on direct travel routes and exclude stop times for sightseeing.

GPS Coordinates:

Driving here in a car with GPS? Enter the following coordinates into your GPS unit: Latitude 52°13.220 N and Longitude 117°13.441 W.

Directions

The Glacier Adventure departs from the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre. Ample parking for vehicles, RVs and motor coaches is available onsite. The Centre is located on the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93 N), recognized as one of the most scenic routes in the world with turquoise lakes, rushing waterfalls and over 100 visible glaciers.

Travelers heading north from Banff and Lake Louise follow the Mistaya and North Saskatchewan River systems, passing by the iconic sights of Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Crowfoot Glacier, and the Weeping Wall. From Jasper, the route passes Athabasca Falls and the Sunwapta Canyon. This rugged expanse of mountain wilderness is home to elk, bighorn sheep, moose, mountain goats, grizzly bears, and black bears.

From Banff, travel 57 kms (35 miles) north on the Trans-Canada Hwy #1 to Lake Louise. Pass the Lake Louise turnoff and continue for approximately 1 km, watch for the Hwy 93N exit indicating the Columbia Icefield. Follow Hwy 93N for 125 kilometers (78 miles), to the Columbia Icefield.

From Calgary, travel 183 kms (114 miles) west on the Trans-Canada Hwy #1 to Lake Louise. Pass the Lake Louise turnoff and continue for approximately 1 km, watch for the Hwy 93N exit indicating the Columbia Icefield. Follow Hwy 93N for 125 kilometers (78 miles), to the Columbia Icefield.

From Edmonton, travel 366 kms (220 miles) west on Yellowhead Hwy #16, to Jasper. Proceed past the Jasper turnoff approximately 2kms to the 93S Junction. Turn left onto 93S Icefields Parkway and follow for 102 kms (63 miles) to the Columbia Icefield.

Witness breathtaking views in every direction from one of several observation decks. Discover a one kilometre interpretive SummitWalk to a national historic site. Indulge in a delicious meal. Capture the iconic Rocky Mountain photo.

Go beyond nature's edge and experience one of the most unique ecosystems in the world. Enjoy the view from a fully-accessible, cliff-edge walkway that leads to a glass-floored observation platform 918 feet (280 metres) above the Sunwapta Valley.